Art on glass

This weekend has concluded another successful glass painting workshop for Banna Creations. We regularly organise crafty workshops to give ordinary people the chance to experience a variety of hand skills. For us, promoting the handmade tradition is very important because sadly it is a declining trade. It is never too late to get involved, and we strive to give you that opportunity. With these classes, participants can pick up valuable skills, experience guidance from a professional teacher and make something personal and truly unique.

We run the glass painting workshops with Mr Pratap Ruthnaswamy - the class teacher - who has over 20 years of glasswork experience. He is the owner of the Bangalore based company ‘Bottle Tree’ that sells a variety of glass products. His business initially began by making and selling stained glass but now produces painted glass as well. ‘Stained glass’ is often mistaken for ‘painted glass’, when in actual fact the two are different. Traditional stained glass is what we would associate with large windows in old buildings. This involves intricate work; soldering together small bits of coloured. The time and expense required for such art is the main reason people have turned to glass painting. Glass painting simply is painting straight onto a piece of glass. This is now very popular, with over 200 glass painting companies in Bangalore alone. There are certainly many products available to buy, but we feel it is much nicer to make your own.

At the workshop the class is taught a variety of techniques by Pratap and his colleagues. He strongly believes in teaching his students everything he knows himself about glass painting, there is no secret skill to glass painting. What makes painted glass unique is the artist’s own design rather than the technique applied. He also uses local materials from Bangalore so participants can visualise their potential as everything but the sandblasting can easily be done at home.

As everyone settles into the first day of our 4 day programme, first on the agenda is glass cutting. Pratap begins by demonstrating how to cut glass. Using a glass cutter he scores the glass with the diamond point, and then snaps it along the line. After having a go themselves, the group then moved onto glass etching. With a pre-cut glass bottle (turned into a pen holder) and a small square of clear glass (intended as a coaster) the ladies created their own design for them using two different methods. On the pen holder, resist film was stuck onto the glass and before shapes are cut out, transferring the design. For the coaster, a white liquid called fevicol was used to draw on the pattern. Up next came the mirror project, which also used resist film. The film was again stuck onto the mirror and then the pattern cut out. Pratap encouraged the group to come up with their own designs this time, which was a challenge for some, but they all looked fantastic. All items then had to wait for sandblasting in order to complete the look.

To finish off the weekend the ladies had their first taste of painting glass, with another coaster sized piece to experiment with. Before the painting part begins, the glass had to be thoroughly cleaned. Then the design outline is drawn on with opaque black leading (which looks sort of like mandey). This is the tricky part, as the leading should be dragged over the glass rather than sketched on, to make it a clean and solid line. It helps to have a stencil underneath the glass to follow, and luckily if a mistake is made it can be wiped off. Once the leading is dried, the gaps are filled in with coloured paint. Using a paintbrush, the paint is blobbed onto the glass to make a thick and even coating. There shouldn’t be any air bubbles in the leading or paint, as they will look like white specs once it dries. The results are beautifully bright coasters - excellent first attempt.

During the week the bottles, squares and mirrors were sandblasted with a machine that shoots sand onto the glass at high speed. This leaves an etched effect on the exposed areas of glass, where the film and fevicol is not covering. On taking off the film, the finished design is revealed.
 The group met up again the following weekend and began painting their mirrors, in a piece combining their etching and painting skills. With the same paints, the gaps left from the acrylic film were coloured in. Using the same techniques but on a larger scale, the ladies then made a glass painted picture, most choosing a bird or flower design. The leading outline was applied first and then the paint. The colour, texture and thickness of the paint were important here, as the results would show more clearly. With more confidence, some began experimenting. They discovered that the thicker the coat of paint, the stronger the colour would be. Some mixed sparkly paint with regular plain colours. One lady realised that a double layer of yellow paint actually changed the colour to amber. On the final Sunday the class made an impressive glass lamp. With developed skills, the leading and painting now seemed straightforward. The gold decoration on top was still a little tricky, the intricate work making hands shaky with concentration.


 
To finish up the workshop, Pratap demonstrated traditional stained glass work. He cut up the coloured glass and then welded it together with molten copper strips to make a coaster. To witness this was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

On completing the 4 day programme, without a doubt the class was pleased with their efforts and had greatly enjoyed their experience. Everyone joined for different reasons but they all got what they came to achieve. One girl had just finished her Engineering degree and wanted to do something fun before starting a career. A different woman said she just needed a break from her office work routine and felt like trying something totally new. One lady wanted to decorate her home with personal glass items she made herself. Another had wanted to go to Art College as a teenager but instead had to find a job after her mum passed away. Now she is able to follow her passion for art and even wants to work in the glass painting industry.

The great thing about this class is everyone works together. No-one knew each other before joining, but now having spent two full weekends in each other’s company they have become friends. The ladies can work at their own pace with no pressure. Everyone supports each other and the teachers are always on hand to answer questions and help out. The workshops are flexible, giving participants the opportunity to experiment and try out their own ideas. Whether for fun, learning or relaxation – everyone has left with warm memories of this workshop.

Paper bag anyone?

The Young Women Christian Association is helping ladies in the Ranjendra slum with another hand skill initiative. At the Rangoli Centre - where Banna Creations is involved with the 6 month sewing class – women are making paper bags as a source of income.

After YWCA representatives went door-to-door telling the neighbourhood about the programme, around 15 women signed up. This group, aged between 50 and 80, have met almost every morning for the past year and a half to make bags out of newspaper. They were initially taught the techniques by a YWCA co-ordinator. He has worked for 20 years in the social sector and became involved with handicrafts a couple of years ago.

To make the bags a piece of newspaper must be folded at the edges, then in half and at the edges again, before being glued in place. Rope string is then threaded through the top to make handles. The result is an eco-friendly, sustainable and quirky bag - that is surprisingly sturdy. The process is all done by hand – the women even spread the glue with their fingers rather than a plastic glue stick. The folding technique can be quite fiddly, but now with over a years experience the ladies make it look easy. Yesterday it took 1 hour to make 12 complete bags. Each bag is unique, not only from the nature of handcrafts, but also because each newspaper page is different. A bag could be made with The Hindu front page, The Times of India sports section or the Bangalore Mirror’s crossword puzzles.

These products are available to purchase from the YWCA office and customers can place specific orders. For example, they receive large orders for paper envelopes that are used for disposing medical waste. This is extremely motivating, as the ladies know their work goes to real clients. From such purchases the group receives an income, which is a big incentive to get involved with the programme, particularly for those without work. The women are paid for what they make, which keeps the class flexible. If someone is sick or tired one day there is no pressure to come in and work through it. Roughly paid 1 rupee per bag, the pay check is definitely appreciated – especially with customer orders in their hundreds.

Along with the financial gains, there are also many social benefits of being part of this group. They said themselves that having a reason to get up every morning for the 9:30am start keeps them active and in a routine. Together they chat about their lives, both the good and bad parts. In a warm and friendly environment they can talk freely and get worries off their chest. Some ladies speak of their difficulties now as widows, one lady shares her troubles with a daughter-in-law and another reveals the ordeals of living on the street. At times, these ladies literally provide shoulders to cry on.

Primary care is also provided at the class. Since they stay at the centre until 1:00pm, the co-ordinator orders lunch for everyone, with boiled eggs and bread rolls a favourite. He organises hospital visits if needed. He applies for pensions and senior citizen cards (entitling them to discounts on transport, medical care etc.) on their behalf. Filling in and sending away the forms is helpful, as those who have trouble reading and writing would have struggled to do this by themselves.

Most importantly, these ladies genuinely enjoy spending time with each other. They are friends who have fun together – with spontaneous singing and dancing a regular occurrence. On their one year anniversary they had a party to commemorate their progress, and I’m sure on their next anniversary there will be even more successes to celebrate.

Meet the ladies

The group of ladies taking part in our first Hand Skills Training programme have been together for almost 4 months. They have become close friends, so now it’s time for you to get to know them.

 

Manjula

Manjula is a project co-ordinator with the Young Women Christian Association, and is the group’s hand skills teacher. She is 29 years old and has lived in and around the slum all her life. 4 years ago, contrary to the tradition, Manjula had a love marriage and has since had one son. Her little boy suffers from thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, which requires regular blood transfusions. However living with her parents-in-law, who can take care of him, has enabled her to find work. In the past she had a variety of jobs - including shop work and call centres – before training in hand skills. Now with the YWCA Manjula is involved with several community initiatives that are close to her heart. She teaches these women sewing, works at the morning childcare centre and buses the needy to hospitals. She greatly enjoys her job but admits the teaching can be challenging at times. However her confidence will certainly grow with practice.

 

Selvi

Selvi is 29 years old and is originally from Indiranagar, Bangalore. At 16 she had a love marriage and moved to the slum for her husband’s work. She briefly worked at a garment factory before her marriage, but now stays at home looking after their 3 daughters while her husband works as an office assistant. She has always been interested in hand skills but had never found the opportunity to learn the ropes. From the house visits YWCA co-ordinators make in the area, Selvi discovered our training programme. She only knew one friend amongst the group of ladies, but quickly settled in. So far she has had a great experience with the training, especially enjoying the tailoring. This is a useful skill in her home, as she is able to mend and make clothes for her family. Tassel making has also been memorable, as she thinks they look beautiful on saris. After the training finishes she would enjoy working in the tailoring trade from home, and also teaching her daughters the skills she has learned.

 

 

Latha and Sandhya

Latha and Sandhya are sisters, who have both grown up in the slum. They live with their 2 other siblings, their mum (who is a housewife) and their dad (who is a labourer). Latha is 21 years old and the oldest sister in the family. At the moment she is studying Commerce at college but would like to gain a Management degree before running her own computer technology business. Sandhya is 16 and is in her last year of high school. After this year she would like to study medicine and become a doctor. Despite their different future plans, both girls had an interest in hand skills. After hearing of the programme from Anu (another class member) they came along to learn about designing and altering fabrics. With these skills they can make clothes for themselves and their family. Neither had any experience in sewing, but have loved everything so far. After the training they will continue tailoring and embroidery for fun in their spare time.

 

 

Sangeetha
Sangeetha is 24 years old and has been married for one year. So far in life she hasn’t worked, but her husband sustains the two of them with his accounting job at a hotel. Having grown up in Gujarat, she moved to Bangalore for an arranged marriage. Relatively new to the area - but experienced in sewing - she asked a haberdashery shop about hand skill classes. The shop owner knew Manjula, and put the two ladies in touch. She enjoys making crafts for family and friends because they like and appreciate her efforts. After the training programme Sangeetha would like to make handicrafts from home and have many happy customers. Tailoring has been her favourite activity, while sari falls were her least favourite. Ever the perfectionist, she feels sari falls take a long time and she isn’t very good at them. Over the 4 months, not only has she developed her hand skills, but she has also made good friends in her new home town.

 

 

 

 

Anu

Anu is 25 years old and has spent all her life in Bangalore. From her 4 year love marriage she has had 1 little girl and is expecting her next baby later this year. Her husband supports their family with his job at a medical supplies wholesaler, while she stays at home. Anu discovered the class from Prema (another member) and was encouraged to join by the other ladies. She hadn’t sewn before but was eager to learn. At the class she steadily works away on her project, enjoying tassel making the most. She is motivated to learn these skills purely for herself and her family, as altering and mending fabrics herself would save money. Especially with a new baby on the way, saving money where possible is important.

 

 

 

 

Sathya

 
Sathya is 19 years old and lives with her parents, siblings and extended family. She has grown up in the area and now lives just down the street from the crafts centre. She stays at home with her mum during the day taking care of the house, while her dad is out driving lorries. In the evening she goes with her aunt to sell flowers on the roadside, which can make for a long and tiring day. She found out about the hand skills training by passing the centre and asking about its activities. Sathya had experience in machine sewing, as their family has a sewing machine in the house. She wanted to improve her technique, while also picking up some new skills. Machine stitching is the most useful to her as she plans on becoming a tailor from home.  





Maheshwari

Maheshwari is 34 years old and grew up in Tamil Nadu. She moved with her parents to the slum, which is where she met her husband. From this 8 year love marriage she now has 2 sons. She has never worked but her husband’s income from driving auto-rickshaws sustains the family. Maheshwari was interested in joining a sewing class so came to the centre and spoke to Manjula (our co-ordinator). She had no experience in sewing but wanted to make unique clothes for her and her family. She would also like to pursue work as a tailor from home and earn additional money for the family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vani

Vani is one of the younger girls in the group at 18 years of age. She grew up with her grandmother just outside of Bangalore, and moved to live with her parents and brothers. Her mum is a domestic helper and her dad paints buildings. She is still at school, now in her 9^th grade, but is keen to pick up new skills wherever possible. She had no experience in sewing before the class but wanted to give it a try. After hearing about the programme from her friend and neighbour Sathya (who also is part of the group) she got involved mainly to learn tailoring. However on reflection, embroidery has been her favourite activity. For her, such skills would enable her to work and earn money in her spare time while still at school. In the future Vani would like to work in a call centre but continue with handicrafts for fun and as an additional income.

 

 

 

Prema

Prema is also one of the younger girls in the class at 19 years old. At the moment she lives with her parents and brothers. Her mum is a housewife and her dad a wage labourer. Her plan is to move away from home to study at a design college, with the aim of becoming a full time tailor one day. She also has the dream of making and designing her own clothes. Prema has attended previous hand skill and art classes before, and on hearing from Selvi (a family friend who also attends the class) about our programme, she immediately signed up. This class is a perfect foundation for her college course, setting up her future in the handicrafts trade.

 

 

 

 

Sumathi & Mary

Sumathi is 40 years old and Mary is 33. These two ladies married into the same family – as Mary’s husband is the brother of Sumathi’s husband. Their two families (along with a sister and her subsequent family) all live together, with a total of 20 people living under the same roof. Mary is originally from Tamil Nadu and moved to the slum for an arranged marriage to her cousin. She has been with him for 16 years and now has 3 children to care for while he works in the military. Sumathi grew up in the area and also has 3 children. Before her marriage 20 years ago she shortly worked in a garment factory, but since her love marriage she hasn’t worked. Her husband works for the government and with the whole family pitching in, they can sustain themselves. Both ladies are under strict control from their husbands and male relatives. They found out about the training programme by seeing activity out the window and investigating. Mary can knit, but neither had experience with sewing. However they were curious, so asked their husbands if they could attend. They were allowed to join the class only because the centre is so close to their home. They want to make the most out the 6 month programme and are enthusiastic to learn everything. After the training is finished they would like to buy their own sewing machine in order to make clothes for the family. This has been a great experience not only for the skills learned, but also for the friendships made and freedom enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

Life at the craft centre

Banna Creations is inspiring women in Bangalore with our new and exciting Hand Skill Training Programme. This is our first 6 month programme, having previously only organised short term workshops. In conjunction with theYoung Women Christian Association (YWCA) we have been planning this adventure since last October, and the class got up and running this May.

The training schedule is split into three sections – 1 month for tassels and sari falls, 2 months for embroidery and 3 months for tailoring. These techniques are particularly important in the clothes industry, making this class popular for ladies with an interest in fashion. At the end of the 6 months Banna Creations will evaluate their progress and final pieces of work, before awarding the greatly valued certification, which is provided by the YWCA. For some, this certificate is the main reason for getting involved with the programme as it illustrates their hand skills and hard work – which could lead to employment. For others, the programme is simply a chance to pick up interesting new skills and have some fun – which they certainly do have!

The group consists of around 10 women and girls who meet four times a week at the local Rangoli Centre in the Ranjendra nagar slum. Some had never held a needle before, while others were familiar with sewing. They are different ages - a mixture of schoolgirls, young wives and mothers. Some are related and were already friends, while others were complete strangers. However the group is united by Manjula – the YWCA co-ordinator and hand skills teacher – who is known in the slum for her community projects.

Now when they come together, the centre is full of life. The group is like one big family, literally, as some ladies bring along their children. Being able to bring children to work is essential for those who can’t avoid their caring responsibilities. It is also lovely for the mum’s to inspire their children with their own work, as one little girl said she wanted to sew just like her mum. 

Over half way through the programme, the group is currently working on embroidery. After Manjula initially taught the basic sewing techniques, the women were free to experiment on their own. Using a square of fabric, they draw on the design and then fill it in. Most ladies use the embroidery circle to stretch and hold the material in place while they concentrate on one detail at a time. There is a choice of material to be used – with brightly coloured thread, beads and sequins proving the most popular. A range of stitches are practiced – including back stitches, chain stitches and feather stitches. Their designs are typically swirling flowers and plants, but each piece of work is ultimately unique. By designing their own item the ladies can visualise their work on any real life item, such as a table mat, wall hanging or cushion cover – which is a great inspiration. With more practice and increasing self-belief their designs become more ambitious, detailed and neater.

The ladies can work at their own pace without too much pressure; it is by no means a competition. Some do finish their designs quicker than others, but the group is incredibly flexible and there is always more practicing to be done. Some ladies prefer to make a few smaller pieces, while others focus on one big effort. As their skills develop their work naturally quickens and improves, and by seeing other people’s finished work it encourages them on. They are all incredibly committed and passionate, as most ladies take their work home and in their free time continue away at it independently. Finished pieces are usually displayed in their homes so their families can admire them, which really boosts their self esteem. 

As most want to work in the material trade after this programme, Banna Creations must keep the ladies motivated with the end in sight. Manjula is very kind and understanding, acting as a friend rather than a teacher in most instances, but the women do have to be at a certain standard by the end of the 6 months in order to achieve their certification. Throughout the programme progression is essential as outside customers can order products from the group through Banna Creations and some of their work is displayed at Bannas exhibitions. Real life customers are incredibly beneficial to the group, giving them a taste of the business world that they could one day enter - having to work towards a deadline, following customer specifications and producing a top-quality item.

This training programme can be challenging at times. Irregular events, such as medical appointments and religious holidays, can break the rhythm of the 6 months. At the moment one lady is fasting which can affect her energy and enthusiasm at the class. Pressures of home life and children are a daily concern. Attending these classes is a constant struggle; some have to persuade their husbands to let them go and even during the sessions men can come along and ask their wives to leave. This difficult situation shows just how much these women want to learn and enjoy being at the class.

However, what is great about learning in a group is everyone keeps each other going. Despite these constraints, it is clear the women support each other no matter what - whether it is sorting out the orange beads, demonstrating how to chain stitch or babysitting a child. We strive to support them as well. At the moment we are planning a field-trip to a haberdashery and tailoring shop, so the group can get a taste of the business world they might join. This day out could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With Banna Creations, these women are undoubtedly developing lifelong skills, improving their employability and having a fantastic experience.